Solartex
10-10-2010, 09:22 AM
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Lacona, NY
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Solartex
I have experiences with Ultra, Mono and I guess "China-Kote, if that's the proper name for it?[&:]
I'm looking at the Solartex on the BUSA website and I'm wondering what you people think of it? Does it have the same shrinking properties similar to Ultra, or is it more like Mono? How does it hold up in the sun? And last, I'd like to ask if I can workout wrinkles like I can with Ultra? I'd also like to read the pro and cons if their are any from any of you who has worked with it.
I thank you all for your time.
Pete
I'm looking at the Solartex on the BUSA website and I'm wondering what you people think of it? Does it have the same shrinking properties similar to Ultra, or is it more like Mono? How does it hold up in the sun? And last, I'd like to ask if I can workout wrinkles like I can with Ultra? I'd also like to read the pro and cons if their are any from any of you who has worked with it.
I thank you all for your time.
Pete
10-10-2010, 10:01 AM
#2
Senior Member
RE: Solartex
When it first came out, they advertised you could cover a tennis ball with one piece. I bet somebody $20 (a fair amount back then) it was possible and won the bet.
Lots of coverings that would work that easy also had problems with strength. I'm looking at a wing I solartexed back in the 80s that's leaning against the wall beside this desk. It's still good to go and looks decent. Of course, it's a glider wing and gliders can last a LONNNGGGGG time.
Lots of coverings that would work that easy also had problems with strength. I'm looking at a wing I solartexed back in the 80s that's leaning against the wall beside this desk. It's still good to go and looks decent. Of course, it's a glider wing and gliders can last a LONNNGGGGG time.
10-10-2010, 10:02 AM
#3
Senior Member
RE: Solartex
Oh yeah.... I have not bought or covered anything with it since the 90s.
Where did you say you got it?
..... OH..... "BUSA" is BalsaUSA............ ok, I just found it. Fairly expensive isn't it.
Where did you say you got it?
..... OH..... "BUSA" is BalsaUSA............ ok, I just found it. Fairly expensive isn't it.
10-10-2010, 11:09 AM
#4
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Lacona, NY
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Solartex
ORIGINAL: da Rock
Oh yeah.... I have not bought or covered anything with it since the 90s.
Where did you say you got it?
..... OH..... ''BUSA'' is BalsaUSA............ ok, I just found it. Fairly expensive isn't it.
Oh yeah.... I have not bought or covered anything with it since the 90s.
Where did you say you got it?
..... OH..... ''BUSA'' is BalsaUSA............ ok, I just found it. Fairly expensive isn't it.
Yes, but what isn't these days when you want a good product. Is the covering more on the flat or semi-gloss side? I'm recovering my fokker with the black. How does it hold up in the sun or warm car? One of the things I hated about Ultra is I'm constantly attacking it with a iron. I guess it's because it was a ARF and it was not covered right at the factory.
Pete
10-10-2010, 11:13 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Berthoud,
CO
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Solartex
Solartex is great stuff. It shrinks better than the plastics and can be applied wrinkle-free with a minimum of effort. Some claim it is necessary to coat it with a clear coat to protect it from fuel/dirt. I don't agree...just clean up after each day's flights. Handles sun well and, if it does sag, can be easily reshrunk with either an iron or a heat gun.
Some of the lighter colors are not very opaque. Keep in mind it has a very fabric-like look which may not be appropriate for your particular application unless you intend to paint over it to obtain a glossy finish. Can be cut into graphics and applied over itself without bubbles.
Yes, it's pricey. But for the right airplane it's more than worth it.
Some of the lighter colors are not very opaque. Keep in mind it has a very fabric-like look which may not be appropriate for your particular application unless you intend to paint over it to obtain a glossy finish. Can be cut into graphics and applied over itself without bubbles.
Yes, it's pricey. But for the right airplane it's more than worth it.
10-10-2010, 11:16 AM
#6
RE: Solartex
I covered a 1/4 scale Tiger Moth using it.
There are other more scale/sophisticated fabric covering systems available today.
Applies very similar to ultra, mono, solarfilm... in fact I just treated it the same as I would any shrink film.
I has held up very well... I sealed the edges with thin CA, nothing has loosed up.
Working with it is quite easy as it's a great deal tougher than film. You can pull it, tough it around corners etc and give it more heat than film.
Working with it is quite easy as it's a great deal tougher than film. You can pull it, tough it around corners etc and give it more heat than film.
There are other more scale/sophisticated fabric covering systems available today.
Having said that, if your looking for a real good, simple sports scale covering... its very OK.
10-10-2010, 11:36 AM
#7
RE: Solartex
It is great stuff. It shrinks great and wrinkles do not reappear. The clear coat stops dirt and dust from getting into the pours of the covering, making it look dirty. I painted mine with latex paint and I am very pleased with the results. I would highly recommend it. Good Luck, Dave
10-10-2010, 02:31 PM
#8
My Feedback: (-1)
RE: Solartex
It's perhaps the best covering on the market. I use it in colors instead of painting, it's a matt finish and doesn't glare in the bright sun. I cover and remove the sags and wrinkles with an iron then set it out in the hot sun and remove any blems I may get. I cure it this way a couple of times and it is then ready to sit in the hot sun at shows for days on end without a sag. I spray on a clear coat to keep the stains out but I have been known to not clear coat it. The clear coat just makes clean up easier and better. It isn't a must do but it does help. Easiest covering I have ever worked with and there isn't enough weight difference between it or the plastics to worry about.
10-10-2010, 05:48 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Berthoud,
CO
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Solartex
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
It's perhaps the best covering on the market. I use it in colors instead of painting, it's a matt finish and doesn't glare in the bright sun. I cover and remove the sags and wrinkles with an iron then set it out in the hot sun and remove any blems I may get. I cure it this way a couple of times and it is then ready to sit in the hot sun at shows for days on end without a sag. I spray on a clear coat to keep the stains out but I have been known to not clear coat it. The clear coat just makes clean up easier and better. It isn't a must do but it does help. Easiest covering I have ever worked with and there isn't enough weight difference between it or the plastics to worry about.
It's perhaps the best covering on the market. I use it in colors instead of painting, it's a matt finish and doesn't glare in the bright sun. I cover and remove the sags and wrinkles with an iron then set it out in the hot sun and remove any blems I may get. I cure it this way a couple of times and it is then ready to sit in the hot sun at shows for days on end without a sag. I spray on a clear coat to keep the stains out but I have been known to not clear coat it. The clear coat just makes clean up easier and better. It isn't a must do but it does help. Easiest covering I have ever worked with and there isn't enough weight difference between it or the plastics to worry about.
10-10-2010, 06:37 PM
#10
My Feedback: (-1)
RE: Solartex
ORIGINAL: Augie11
We had better stop telling folks how good this stuff is. If we keep it up you KNOW it will be discontinued!
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
It's perhaps the best covering on the market. I use it in colors instead of painting, it's a matt finish and doesn't glare in the bright sun. I cover and remove the sags and wrinkles with an iron then set it out in the hot sun and remove any blems I may get. I cure it this way a couple of times and it is then ready to sit in the hot sun at shows for days on end without a sag. I spray on a clear coat to keep the stains out but I have been known to not clear coat it. The clear coat just makes clean up easier and better. It isn't a must do but it does help. Easiest covering I have ever worked with and there isn't enough weight difference between it or the plastics to worry about.
It's perhaps the best covering on the market. I use it in colors instead of painting, it's a matt finish and doesn't glare in the bright sun. I cover and remove the sags and wrinkles with an iron then set it out in the hot sun and remove any blems I may get. I cure it this way a couple of times and it is then ready to sit in the hot sun at shows for days on end without a sag. I spray on a clear coat to keep the stains out but I have been known to not clear coat it. The clear coat just makes clean up easier and better. It isn't a must do but it does help. Easiest covering I have ever worked with and there isn't enough weight difference between it or the plastics to worry about.
10-11-2010, 06:47 AM
#11
Senior Member
RE: Solartex
A great covering and much easier to apply than any of the films. Also conforms to odd shapes much better than films. Bottom line: IMHO the best covering available.
10-11-2010, 11:01 AM
#12
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Lacona, NY
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Solartex
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
Or the price will double!!! Not that it's cheap now.
ORIGINAL: Augie11
We had better stop telling folks how good this stuff is. If we keep it up you KNOW it will be discontinued!
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
It's perhaps the best covering on the market. I use it in colors instead of painting, it's a matt finish and doesn't glare in the bright sun. I cover and remove the sags and wrinkles with an iron then set it out in the hot sun and remove any blems I may get. I cure it this way a couple of times and it is then ready to sit in the hot sun at shows for days on end without a sag. I spray on a clear coat to keep the stains out but I have been known to not clear coat it. The clear coat just makes clean up easier and better. It isn't a must do but it does help. Easiest covering I have ever worked with and there isn't enough weight difference between it or the plastics to worry about.
It's perhaps the best covering on the market. I use it in colors instead of painting, it's a matt finish and doesn't glare in the bright sun. I cover and remove the sags and wrinkles with an iron then set it out in the hot sun and remove any blems I may get. I cure it this way a couple of times and it is then ready to sit in the hot sun at shows for days on end without a sag. I spray on a clear coat to keep the stains out but I have been known to not clear coat it. The clear coat just makes clean up easier and better. It isn't a must do but it does help. Easiest covering I have ever worked with and there isn't enough weight difference between it or the plastics to worry about.
I know nothing!
Thanks guys, It's perfect for the project I'm working on right now. Mono and Ultra just isn't going to do it. Coverite 21st Century fabric might be too shiny for a WWI bird, so Solartex it is.
Pete
10-14-2010, 02:00 PM
#14
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Lacona, NY
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Solartex
[X(] Wow, that plane is very attractive. Nice work Dick, from the picture you did a very good job.
Two more questions and then I'm done:
Is that Polytak that BUSA sells really needed, or can I just use the Solartex? I guess it's used to enhance the adhesive.
And do I still need to still use the "Woodpecker" to prep the balsa before laying Solartex down, or does the cloth fiber allow the trapped air to escape?
Thanks,
Pete
Two more questions and then I'm done:
Is that Polytak that BUSA sells really needed, or can I just use the Solartex? I guess it's used to enhance the adhesive.
And do I still need to still use the "Woodpecker" to prep the balsa before laying Solartex down, or does the cloth fiber allow the trapped air to escape?
Thanks,
Pete
